Assistance to Albania on behalf of the European Commission

The Supreme Audit Office of Poland completed the twinning project in Tirana, Albania. The two-year initiative was aimed to strengthen the Albanian audit system. NIK had been appointed to perform this task by the European Commission. NIK President, Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, participated in the project’s closing conference.

The twinning cooperation, which started in March 2016, was planned to last 24 months but was eventually prolonged by three further months. It covered the entire activity of the Albanian State Supreme Audit (KLSH), and included meetings, workshops, training courses and seminars for the Albanian auditors. The project comprised three components - NIK was responsible for two of them:

Karol Bachura, Polish Ambassador in Tirana, Jacek Jezierski, Advisor to the President of NIK, Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, President of NIK, Head of the Albanian-Polish Parliamentary Group, Bujar Leskaj, Chairman of KLSH, Tomasz Marian Głogowski, Polish MP and Head of the Polish-Albanian Parliamentary Group

A component regarding audit methodologies and reporting capacities was also implemented, in cooperation with the State Audit Office of Croatia. Its main concept was the fight with corruption. Albanian auditors were presented the financial audit methods; they were shown how to conduct performance audits and achieve high quality results, as well as how to audit IT systems. During their visit to Poland representatives of the Albanian SAI were acquainted with the Polish Governmental Corruption Prevention Programme and with the internal control systems of the public administration.

At the twinning closing ceremony, Mr Bujar Leskaj, Chairman of the Albanian State Supreme Audit, thanked Krzysztof Kwiatkowski for the Polish involvement in the adaptation of the Albanian audit system to the requirements in force within the EU. NIK President emphasized that, aside from the independent courts and free media, SAIs are the pillars and safety valves of democracy, crucial in a democratic country, where authorities are subject to a strict supervision of the society. During the ceremony the main KLSH conference hall was named after President Lech Kaczyński.

The EC report, released this April, states that Albania has progressed significantly in improving the judicial system. A special anti-corruption system is being developed, while a more efficient battle against the drug-related crime is underway. In 2014, Albania was granted the status of a candidate to the EU membership. Two years later, the European Commission recommended opening the accession negotiations upon the condition that further reforms would be implemented, in particular of the judicial system. On June 26, a conclusion, actively supported by Poland, was adopted that desirably by mid-2019 the accession negotiations with Albania and Macedonia should begin.

NIK President, Krzysztof Kwiatkowski was awarded an honorary doctor degree by the Aleksandër Moisiu University in Durrës

During his visit to Albania, Krzysztof Kwiatkowski was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Durrës University, the second major university in Albania. NIK President was also granted honorary citizenship of the Shkodër and Vlorë cities, the latter being the native city of the KLSH Chairman. Mr Leskaj actively promotes Polish culture in Albania. He has organized concerts of Polish music, exhibitions of Polish art, and published articles about Poland in the Albanian press. Thanks to his efforts a major publication on 100 Polish symbols was translated into Albanian. Polish President Andrzej Duda awarded Mr Leskaj the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. The ceremony took place last year at NIK headquarters in Warsaw.

During a meeting held in the Albanian Parliament (attended by MP Tomasz Głogowski, Head of the Polish-Albanian Parliamentary Group), Gramoz Ruçi, Chairman of the Albanian Parliament thanked Poland for encouraging the Albanian aspirations for the EU membership, as well as the support provided to the Albanian SAI in its efforts to adapt to the international standards.